The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Social studies. The lowest is 49% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on John Clem Elementary School
John Clem Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Newark, Ohio's public school system. The school sits in a mixed-use small city that serves as the county seat, with a historic downtown and growing industrial corridors, particularly around manufacturing and healthcare. The city is on a growth trajectory driven in part by a major regional semiconductor project expected to add jobs and housing to the area in coming years.
The school enrolls students from a broad socioeconomic range. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting economic diversity across the school's attendance zone. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students identifying as multiracial, Black, Asian, or Hispanic. The school operates as a regular public school within the district, with no charter or magnet designation.
On state testing in the latest year available, John Clem's academic results are mixed. In math and English language arts, roughly half of students in grades three through five met state proficiency standards. Science performance was stronger, with a clear majority of students reaching proficiency. Reading and math proficiency are both below the midpoint when compared to other districts in Licking County, according to the county's proficiency index. The school tested all students who were enrolled, so these results reflect full participation. Trend data was not available to show whether these proficiency levels have shifted in prior years.
The school's grade configuration means it serves only elementary ages, so there is no high school graduation rate to report and no secondary pathways or advanced course work. State testing data for kindergarten through second grade is not publicly reported, so performance at those early grade levels remains unknown to outside observers.
The housing market in Newark's zip code is moderately priced for the region. Home values have risen modestly year over year, and rental housing is available at rates below the national benchmark. Homeownership and rental costs both sit within reach for families with median household incomes in the area. This market context suggests John Clem's catchment area may draw families with varied economic backgrounds but some anchor in stable housing and employment.
A parent evaluating John Clem should understand that it is an elementary school with a broad student body and modest proficiency results in reading and math. The school's science teaching appears stronger. Without access to information about class size, teacher experience, specialist staff, attendance patterns, or discipline practices, there are limits to what a prospective family can learn from this data alone. A parent may want to visit the school, ask about instructional approaches in reading and math, and speak with current families about the day-to-day experience. The school's location in a growing city with active downtown revitalization and regional industrial development offers some broader economic context, though school selection typically hinges on classroom practice and school culture rather than municipal growth trends.
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